Condition of Yankees of ball key to value
Dear Babe: I have a pristine baseball signed by the New York Yankees. I got it when I was in high school — probably 1949 or 1950. Joe DiMaggio signed on the sweet spot. Bud Gleason, Atlanta, Ga.
Often a year can make a big difference, but probably not in this case. The Yanks were world champs both years. The roster didn’t change much with DiMaggio being the big star. Mantle didn’t come along until 1951. The big question is if “pristine” means the same thing to you as serious collectors. It makes a big difference in value. A nice ball is going to be worth $1,500, according to Mike Gutierrez, consignment director for Heritage Auctions (www.ha.com) in Dallas. The value jumps to $2,500-$5,000 for a creamy white ball with bold signatures.
Dear Babe: I have two Babe Ruth autographs. One is signed on a newspaper picture of him batting. The second is from a magazine showing him swinging when he was 48 and filming the Pride of the Yankees. Both are signed in ink “Sincerely, Babe Ruth.” My father obtained both of these as a kid. They are fading. Where should I have them authenticated and what should I do to preserve them? Alan Chesebrough, Woodbury, Minn.
You’ve got your worked cut out for yourself, depending on what kind of paper the magazine used. Newsprint is among the worst materials when it comes to trying to preserve an autograph. “There is no saving unless it is laminated, which collectors hate,” said Mike Gutierrez, consignment director for Heritage Auctions (http://www.blogger.com/Babe) in Dallas. “You always need to keep the autographs away from the sun and even indirect sunlight as it will fade over time without a doubt. The best glass to use in a frame is UV glass. This cuts down on all ultraviolet light that fades signatures,” said David Kohler, president of http://www.blogger.com/Babe/Anz/www.SCPauctions.com in Laguna Niguel.
Gutierrez suggested having both authenticated and then encapsulated by James Spence Authentication, http://www.spenceloa.com/.
“These would have the same value as the cut sigs —$1000-2000 and up depending on image and darkness of ink,” Kohler said. Gutierrez said $1,800-$2,500, depending on condition.
Dear Babe: I have an original of the classic poster called the Black and Blues Brothers. It shows the starting front line of the 1986 Super Bowl champions, and is autographed by each member. I was given this by a friend's sister who obtained it while working at the Chicago radio station that had a promotion with the local Chevy dealers and the Chicago Bears. The Offensive line of 9 players. All players signed. Tom Andrews, Mark Bortz, Tom Thayer, Keith Van Horne, Jay Hilgenberg, Kurt Becker, Andy Frederick, Stefan Humpries and Joe Covert. Steve Pucci, Hollis, N.H.
As I suspected, there just aren’t any big names here. In fact, interior offensive lineman rarely get much respect from collectors — even the Hall of Famers. David Kohler, president of http://www.blogger.com/Babe/Anz/www.SCPauctions.com in Laguna Niguel and Mike Heffner, president of www.lelands.com auction house in South Dennis, Mass., put it in the $50-$100 range. Of course, a die-hard fan of Da Bears might be willing to pay more than that for it. It was a magical season for the Monsters of the Midway.
BABE NOTES: The changing face of the sports card manufacturing business has been altered once again. What it means isn't quite clear. Coming on the heels of Topps ending up with the only MLB license, the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), a division of IMG Worldwide, and Upper Deck, announced a multi-year agreement “on behalf of more than 200 collegiate institutions” for UD to be the exclusive licensee for collegiate trading cards, UD announced in a press release issued Aug. 13. The question is whether this encompasses “draft pick” cards, which Panini/Donruss and Topps produce — either as standalone sets or included in other products.
— Donruss Rookies & Stars (R&S) from Panini America is on hobby store shelves. It’s the time of year when all eyes are on the top rookies. There’s a good chance fans will find autographed, jersey and signed embroidered patch cards of the touted rookies in R&S. Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, Josh Freeman and Pat White along with a host of other rookies are included in both those inserts sets along with having autographed cards. Five-card hobby packs come with a $4 SRP. Twenty-four pack hobby boxes contain on average four autographed or memorabilia cards. For details visit http://www.donruss.com/.
If you have a question for Babe Waxpak, include your full name and hometown, the card number, year and manufacturer or send a photocopy. Please do not send cards. The address is: Babe Waxpak, Box 492397, Redding CA 96049-2397 or e-mail babewaxpak@charter.net.
Dear Babe: I have a pristine baseball signed by the New York Yankees. I got it when I was in high school — probably 1949 or 1950. Joe DiMaggio signed on the sweet spot. Bud Gleason, Atlanta, Ga.
Often a year can make a big difference, but probably not in this case. The Yanks were world champs both years. The roster didn’t change much with DiMaggio being the big star. Mantle didn’t come along until 1951. The big question is if “pristine” means the same thing to you as serious collectors. It makes a big difference in value. A nice ball is going to be worth $1,500, according to Mike Gutierrez, consignment director for Heritage Auctions (www.ha.com) in Dallas. The value jumps to $2,500-$5,000 for a creamy white ball with bold signatures.
Dear Babe: I have two Babe Ruth autographs. One is signed on a newspaper picture of him batting. The second is from a magazine showing him swinging when he was 48 and filming the Pride of the Yankees. Both are signed in ink “Sincerely, Babe Ruth.” My father obtained both of these as a kid. They are fading. Where should I have them authenticated and what should I do to preserve them? Alan Chesebrough, Woodbury, Minn.
You’ve got your worked cut out for yourself, depending on what kind of paper the magazine used. Newsprint is among the worst materials when it comes to trying to preserve an autograph. “There is no saving unless it is laminated, which collectors hate,” said Mike Gutierrez, consignment director for Heritage Auctions (http://www.blogger.com/Babe) in Dallas. “You always need to keep the autographs away from the sun and even indirect sunlight as it will fade over time without a doubt. The best glass to use in a frame is UV glass. This cuts down on all ultraviolet light that fades signatures,” said David Kohler, president of http://www.blogger.com/Babe/Anz/www.SCPauctions.com in Laguna Niguel.
Gutierrez suggested having both authenticated and then encapsulated by James Spence Authentication, http://www.spenceloa.com/.
“These would have the same value as the cut sigs —$1000-2000 and up depending on image and darkness of ink,” Kohler said. Gutierrez said $1,800-$2,500, depending on condition.
Dear Babe: I have an original of the classic poster called the Black and Blues Brothers. It shows the starting front line of the 1986 Super Bowl champions, and is autographed by each member. I was given this by a friend's sister who obtained it while working at the Chicago radio station that had a promotion with the local Chevy dealers and the Chicago Bears. The Offensive line of 9 players. All players signed. Tom Andrews, Mark Bortz, Tom Thayer, Keith Van Horne, Jay Hilgenberg, Kurt Becker, Andy Frederick, Stefan Humpries and Joe Covert. Steve Pucci, Hollis, N.H.
As I suspected, there just aren’t any big names here. In fact, interior offensive lineman rarely get much respect from collectors — even the Hall of Famers. David Kohler, president of http://www.blogger.com/Babe/Anz/www.SCPauctions.com in Laguna Niguel and Mike Heffner, president of www.lelands.com auction house in South Dennis, Mass., put it in the $50-$100 range. Of course, a die-hard fan of Da Bears might be willing to pay more than that for it. It was a magical season for the Monsters of the Midway.
BABE NOTES: The changing face of the sports card manufacturing business has been altered once again. What it means isn't quite clear. Coming on the heels of Topps ending up with the only MLB license, the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), a division of IMG Worldwide, and Upper Deck, announced a multi-year agreement “on behalf of more than 200 collegiate institutions” for UD to be the exclusive licensee for collegiate trading cards, UD announced in a press release issued Aug. 13. The question is whether this encompasses “draft pick” cards, which Panini/Donruss and Topps produce — either as standalone sets or included in other products.
— Donruss Rookies & Stars (R&S) from Panini America is on hobby store shelves. It’s the time of year when all eyes are on the top rookies. There’s a good chance fans will find autographed, jersey and signed embroidered patch cards of the touted rookies in R&S. Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, Josh Freeman and Pat White along with a host of other rookies are included in both those inserts sets along with having autographed cards. Five-card hobby packs come with a $4 SRP. Twenty-four pack hobby boxes contain on average four autographed or memorabilia cards. For details visit http://www.donruss.com/.
If you have a question for Babe Waxpak, include your full name and hometown, the card number, year and manufacturer or send a photocopy. Please do not send cards. The address is: Babe Waxpak, Box 492397, Redding CA 96049-2397 or e-mail babewaxpak@charter.net.
